WILMINGTON, DE — A 34-year-old Wilmington man was arrested on Thursday by the Delaware State Police following a series of alleged shoplifting incidents that took place across multiple businesses in New Castle County over the past month.
David Buchanan is facing several felony charges related to the alleged thefts. According to the authorities, between January 11 and February 15, 2024, there were multiple instances of shoplifting at various businesses, including Walgreens, Wegmans, Rite Aid, Family Dollar, and Jo Ann Fabrics. In each incident, an unidentified white male suspect allegedly collected items such as laundry detergent, soap, cleaning products, and other home goods into a shopping cart and left without paying. The suspect was reportedly seen fleeing in a tan Audi sedan with New Jersey registration plates.
On February 15, troopers patrolling the area around the Walgreens located at 1710 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, spotted an Audi that matched the description of the vehicle used in the alleged shoplifting incidents. The driver, later identified as Buchanan, was said to resemble the repeat shoplifter. Upon conducting a traffic stop, troopers took Buchanan into custody, during which they reportedly found a bundle of what they suspected to be heroin on his person.
The authorities have linked Buchanan to 15 shoplifting incidents that occurred over a little more than a month, with the total value of the allegedly stolen goods exceeding $10,000. In two of these incidents, Buchanan was allegedly accompanied by an unidentified white female. The police are asking for the public’s help in identifying this woman as their investigation continues.
After being taken to Troop 2, Buchanan was charged with a number of crimes, including felony theft – organized retail crime over $1,500, two counts of felony shoplifting over $1,500, felony conspiracy second degree, two counts of conspiracy third degree, 13 counts of shoplifting under $1,500, possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance, and offensive touching. Buchanan was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and subsequently committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $3,600 secured bond.
The Delaware State Police are urging anyone with information related to these incidents or the unidentified female suspect to contact Sergeant B. Stevens at 302-660-3752, or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
It is important to remember that an arrest, or the filing of charges against an individual, is not an indication of guilt. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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